Distribution of the endophytic fungi community in leaves of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae)

Endophytic fungi represent large, yet unexplored components of biodiversity. This work evaluated the richness and the distribution of endophytes in the leaves of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae). A total of 1110 colonies were recovered from the samples and grouped by their morphological traits into 126 taxa. The total number of taxa according to leaf development was: 102 in mature leaves, 93 in recently expanded leaves and 79 for unfolded leaves. The major endophyte genera were Phomopsis, followed by Dothiorella, Pestalotiopsis and Acremonium. The richness and the isolate numbers of endophytes were not statistically affected by leaf region. However, some taxa were leaf-age specific; six were isolated only from unfolded leaves, nine from recently expanded leaves and 17 were exclusively found in mature leaves. The composition of endophytes varied with leaf region; the similarities (Jaccard's Index) among the leaf regions of different leaf ages ranged from 0.36 to 0.46, indicating a high spatial variation in the community of endophytic fungi inside the leaves. The high richness of endophytes in this host plant highlights a significant contribution of fungi to tropical biodiversity and the need for further research in this area.

Protein content and electrophoretic profile of insect galls on susceptible and resistant host plants of Bauhinia brevipes Vogel (Fabaceae)

Gall induction, mediated by insect-herbivore chemical stimuli, is the result from anatomical and biochemical alterations in the host-plant tissues that provides shelter, food and defence against natural enemies and the harsh environment to the gall inducer. Schizomya macrocapillata Maia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) induces galls on Bauhinia brevipes Vogel (Fabaceae); the galls are spherical, with long reddish hairs that cover the adaxial wall surface of the gall, and a protuberance is observed on the abaxial leaf surface. Some plants are resistant to gall formation and, in many cases, this formation is inhibited by hypersensitive reaction. In the present work, samples from different parts of the non-galled and galled tissues from resistant and susceptible plants were carefully dissected. Indicating elevated metabolic activity, the protein concentration was 1.5–4.5-fold higher in the abaxial portion of the galls than in any other tissues, regardless of whether the galls were from resistant or susceptible plants. Different tissues from susceptible and resistant plants had distinct protein concentrations, and the fractionation of the proteins by SDS–PAGE and silver-staining showed shared and/or specific polypeptides. We hypothesise that specific proteins, possibly from distinct metabolic pathways, are involved in the physiological processes that determine whether the plant shows total and/or partial host resistance to the galling-insect attack.

Two new species of Asphondyliini (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) associated with Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) in Brazil

Asphondylia microcapillata sp. n. and Schizomyia macrocapillata sp. n. are described and illustrated on the basis of the larva, pupa, male, female, and gall. Both species induce leaf galls on Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae).